Yesterday, leaving drinks at my job - for me! Better to have them on a Thursday, when there are free drinks in the office. To start us off. Sadly, they only extended to one bottle of white this time - and a bottle of prosecco, which I can't drink more than a glass of (bubbles go right to my head). So, when I ran out of booze, my ex-boss decided it was time to head to the pub - prior to which, she presented me with a massive Chocolatier's Table box from Hotel Chocolat! in a lovely, sparkly box. Mmm.. haven't opened it yet. This requires ceremony! The speech to accompany it? Nuts to that - particularly when someone asked me to summarise my experience at the company. Ahem. I suggested we just go to the pub.
So, off we went to The Pelt Trader - where they also do pizza. My ex-boss booked it (I shudder to think how little effort my current boss would have expended on it) - she had to book in person, she had no luck over the phone or by email, and you can't book online! As my mother is wont to say, you'd think they don't want the business! It was packed - we had two tables reserved beside the bar (they spelt my name wrong, but hey). We were a little early, and had to evict the people that were there - and my boss' boss' boss (who once bullied me) bought a round. I couldn't figure out what he was doing there until it occurred to me that documentation has a higher profile now - and he had to be seen to be there at the leaving do of the only permanent writer they have. Hmph. I was gladder when he left - and also when my boss left; he'd explained to me earlier that he'd have to go early, he had to take care of a mould problem for his tenants. And that left me free to rant to a few different people who hadn't already heard the story. Sundry pizzas arrived in due course, and kept us going until closing.
Whereupon people wanted to keep drinking - and what a joy it is to know somewhere that stays open! (till 3 some nights). So, we headed for The Seahorse. Honestly, I'd had enough to drink by now - still out of practice after lockdown - but let myself be persuaded to accept another glass. Which, honestly, I couldn't finish. We did stay long enough that I had to ring my mother from there and pretend I was home - one of the group pointed me to a quiet alley I could use! And there we faded, and parted in due course. The evening included some people I really will miss! but you know, they're in the minority in the company, and mostly I'll be glad to be shot of the place. Anyway, I was way too tired last night to blog. And it ran too late anyway.
Now back to Ireland for the weekend - the flight was full, first time since lockdown that I've seen it! Of course, that has its disadvantages - the security queue was tiresome, and on the plane, I had to go three rows back to find space for my bag - which made me late getting off. And the passport queue was dreadful. Unfortunately, I can't get to the cinema tomorrow - I have to run an errand for my mother.
On Monday (Valentine's Day) - wouldn't you know it, the West End has gone all romantic! with a one-night-only performance of West End Musical Love Songs! Well now, that seems like a good way to spend the evening. Showing in the Lyric, cheapest from the venue. Mind you, considering that the very cheapest are right behind pillars - and remembering the horrendous experience I had in one of those seats before - I went up a price bracket, and am in the rear stalls. With a pillar "in my sightline", but not squeezing into my legroom. Which should be fine.
On Tuesday, I'm at The Glow, in the Royal Court - nice, spooky sounding play about someone with a gift for the supernatural! As usual, not a place you can really get discounted tickets for - but slips tickets tend to be great value, as long as you're not too close to the stage and having to crane your neck.
On Wednesday, I'm back with Guided Walking Tours in Brighton and Sussex, for London By Night - an Illuminating Virtual Tour. Online, should be nice.
On Thursday, back with Crick Crack! which should hopefully happen this time. This is a double bill - The Thief's Tale and Future Imperfect, at Rich Mix, Daniel Morden one of the performers. And there are a couple of others from the London European Club coming, which is cool! Unfortunately, the Crick Crack show that was cancelled on Sunday is livestreaming the same night from Oxford! which just can't be helped.
Next Friday, back with Civilised London for a play called The Ballad of Maria Marten, based on a real-life murder mystery, at Wilton's. Now, I'm rather tired of craning my neck here, so I went for a slightly more expensive seat, with a more direct view - albeit still in the balcony.
And on the 19th, I'm headed off with 45+ Not Grumpy Old Londoners again, for Laurence Summers' Elementary Sherlock Walking Tour.
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